Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:06 pm
Timeless, classic names will always have a soft spot on my heart. Whether you love the traditional sound of an old-fashioned name, or you are honoring a loved one, choosing an older name for your new daughter is sure to be a hit.
These names are sure gaining popularity with today’s parents. With some even adding a modern twist to an old classic.
This list is compiled from popular names from 1880’s -1950’s from the Social Security Administration’s yearly list. There were plenty I saw that were a little too like old grandma names that probably won’t be used again, but some are definite hidden gems. Scroll through these potential choices and maybe something will stand out to you!
Having a boy? Check out our list of old fashioned boys names that aren’t overused here!
Make sure to Pin for later so you can look back at your favorites:
A
Abigail – this name has Hebrew origin and means ‘joy of the Father’
Ada – primarily from German roots, it means ‘noble’ or ‘happy’
Adelaide – also of German origin, it means ‘of noble kin’
Adele – similar to the above name of the same root, this girls name of German origin means ‘noble’ or ‘kind’
Adeline – this Old English name means ‘noble’
Agnes – this Greek girl’s name means ‘pure” or ‘holy’
Alice – popular in the 19th and 20th century from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this English name means ‘from nobility’
Alta – this gender-neutral name of Latin origin means ‘tall and lofty’
Amelia – this name of Latin origin means ‘work’
Angel –this gender-neutral name of Greek origin means ‘messenger of God’
Angelina – this cute Italian name means ‘messenger of God’
Anne – this Hebrew name means ‘gracious” or ‘merciful’
Anna – another form of Anne, also means “gracious” or ‘merciful’
Annabelle – this girls name is an Old English derivative of Anne, means ‘gracious’ or ‘beautiful’
Audrey – this Old English girl name means ‘noble strength’
Aurora – this girl name of Latin roots means ‘dawn’
Avis – this girl name of English origin means ‘bird’
B
Barbara – this Greek girl name means ‘foreign’ or ‘strange’
Beatrice – this girls name of French, Latin and Italian origin means ‘voyager or traveler’
Bessie – this cute English name for girls means ‘God is my oath’
Belle – this French girl’s name means ‘beautiful’
Betsy – another Old English name for girls that means ‘God is my oath’
Betty – this classic English girl name also means ‘God is my oath’
Beverly – this girl name of English origin means ‘from the beaver stream’
Billie – this spunky girl name of English origin is a form of the name William, which means ‘desire’
Bobbie – this feminine version of the name Robert, means ‘bright fame’
Bonnie – this cute Scottish girl name means ‘pretty or attractive’
Bridget – this Irish girl name means “power and strength’
C
Caris – from Latin and Greek origin meaning ‘beloved or grace’
Carmen – this strong girls name comes from the Hebrew word for “vineyard of God”
Carol – this name of English origin means ‘free’ or ‘song’
Caroline – this Spanish girl name means ‘beloved’ or ‘valuable’
Carolina – this girl’s name of German origin mean ‘free/beautiful woman’
Carolyn – this English girl name means ‘free’
Carrie – similar to Carolyn, this American girl name means ‘free’
Catherine – this classic girl name of Greek origin means ‘pure’
Celia – this girl name means ‘heaven or heavenly’ and is of Latin origin
Charlotte – a sweet French girl name meaning ‘free man’; the feminine form of Charles
Cherie – another French girl name that means ‘dear’
Christina – this girl name of English origin means ‘follower of Christ’
Christine – another form of Christina, this name also means ‘follower of Christ’
Claire – this pretty French girl name means ‘illustrious’ or ‘enlightened’
Clara – this girl name means ‘clear’ or ‘bright’ and is of Latin origin
Cleo – this unique name of Greek origin means ‘to praise or acclaim’
Coleen – this American name means ‘girl’
Connie – this name of English origin means ‘steadfast’ or ‘constant’
Constance – long form of the name Connie, this English name means ‘constant’
Cora – this pretty Greek girl name means ‘heart’ or ‘maiden’
Cynthia –this Greek name means ‘moon goddess’
D
Daisy – this Old English flower name means ‘day’s eyes’
Dale – this girl name of German origin means ‘valley’
Darcy – this pretty Irish name means ‘dark haired’
Deborah – this girl name comes from the Hebrew word meaning ‘bee’
Delia – this Greek girl name means ‘person from Delos’
Delilah – this Hebrew name means ‘delicate’
Della –a pretty girl name of English origin that means ‘of the nobility’
Diane – this name comes from the French word for ‘divine’
Dixie – this girl name of Latin origin means ‘I have spoken’ or ‘tenth’
Dora – this cute Greek name means ‘gift’
Dorothy – this Greek girl name names ‘God’s gift’
Dottie –a unique girl name of English origin means ‘gift of God
E
Edith – a classic Old English girl name means ‘riches’ or ‘blessed’
Edna – this name of Hebrew origin means ‘gentleness and youthfulness’
Effie –this name comes from the Greek name Euphemia meaning ‘speak words of good omen’
Eileen – with several variations of the spelling, this Irish name means ‘beautiful bird’
Elaine – this classic English name means ‘light’
Eleanor – this pretty girl name means ‘God is my light’ in Hebrew
Elisa – this girl name of English origin means ‘God is my oath’
Elizabeth – when you think of classic name, this Hebrew name meaning ‘God is abundance’ is top of the list.
Ella –this Greek name means ‘beautiful fairy maiden’
Ellen—this pretty name of Greek origin means ‘light’
Elsie – the Scottish version of Elizabeth means ‘God is my oath’
Elva – this name of Irish and Gaelic origin means ‘white’
Emma – this sweet girl name of German origin means ‘whole’ or ‘universal’
Erma – similar to Emma, this name of Greek origin means “whole’ or ‘universal’
Estelle – this old-fashioned girl name means ‘star’ and has Latin roots
Esther – also meaning ‘star’, this girl name has Persian and Hebrew roots
Ethel – this name of English origin means ‘noble’
Eva – this name from Hebrew means ‘giver of life’
Evangeline – this English girl name means ‘messenger of good news’
Evelyn – this pretty English girl name means ‘beautiful bird’
F
Fae – (also Faye), the magical French girl’s name means ‘fairy’
Faith – the Greek girl name means ‘belief’ and ‘confidence’
Fawn –the cute English girl name means ‘young deer’
Fern –the Old English girl name means ‘fern’
Flora – this name of Latin origin means ‘flower’
Florence – this English name means ‘blossoming in faith’
Fran – this name means ‘free one’ or ‘from Fran’ and is of Latin origin
Frances – long form of the name Fran, this Latin name also means ‘free one’ or ‘from Fran’
G
Genevieve – this cute girl name means ‘woman of the family’ and is of French origin
Georgia –this pretty English girl name means ‘farmer’
Geri – this name of English origin means ‘rules with spear’
Gloria – this Latin girl name means ‘glory to God’
Goldie – this sweet girl name of English origin means ‘gold’
Grace –this Latin baby name means ‘charm, beauty, and kindness’
Gwendolyn – (or Gwen) this baby name means ‘fair and white’ or ‘blessed’ and is of Welsh origin
H
Hattie– this name of American origin means ‘home ruler’
Hazel – this English baby name comes from the word used to refer to the color of mixed green/gold/brown eyes
Heidi – this name of German origin means ‘nobility’
Helen – this Greek baby girl name means ‘shining light’
Holly – this Old English name means ‘holly tree’
I
Ida – this German name means ‘work’ or ‘labor’
Inez – this pretty Spanish name means ‘pure and holy’
Irene – this name of Greek origin means ‘peace’
Iris – another Greek name that means ‘rainbow’
Irma – this German name means ‘whole’ or ‘entire’
Isabelle – this classic French name means ‘devoted to God’
Ivy – this Old English baby name refers to the ivy plant
Related: 100+ Nature Inspired Names for Girls
J
Jacqueline – this timeless girl name is of French origin and means ‘supplanter’
Jane –this classic name of Hebrew origin means ‘God is gracious’
Janis – this English name also means ‘ God is gracious’
Jean – this English name with Hebrew roots means ‘God is gracious’
Jeanine—this name means ‘God is gracious’ and is of French origin
Jeannie – similar to Jeanine, this name of French origin also means ‘God is gracious’
Jewel – this English name means ‘precious stone’
Josephine –this charming girl name of Hebrew roots means “God shall grow’
Josie –this American name means ‘God will increase’
Joy – this Latin baby name means ‘happiness’
Judith –this name means ‘she will be praised’ and is of Hebrew origin
Julia –this sweet Latin girl name means ‘youthful’
June – this name of Latin origin means ‘young’
K
Karma – this unique Indian name means ‘fate’
Kate – this English baby name means ‘pure’
Katherine – this classic girl name of Greek origin means ‘pure’
Kathy – another form of the name Katherine meaning ‘pure’
Katie – a variation of the name Katherine or Katie
Kay – this name of Greek origin means ‘rejoice’
Kit – another variation of the name Katherine that means ‘pure’
Kyleen – this name of American origin means ‘narrow strait or channel’
L
Lana – this name of Slavic origin means ‘light’
Laurel – this English name with Latin roots means ‘laurel tree’
Leah – this classic Hebrew name means ‘weary’
Leila – this girl name comes from the Arabic word meaning ‘night’
Lena – this Latin girl name means ‘she that allures’
Lenora – this Spanish girl name means ‘light’
Leona – this pretty name comes from the Latin work meaning ‘lion’
Leora – unique girl name means ‘light’ and is of Hebrew origin
Leslie – this English name means ‘joy’
Levonna – this strong Hebrew name means ‘white like the moon’ or ‘rising sun’
Lila – this Indian girl name means ‘playful’
Lillian – this name of Latin origin means ‘lily flower’
Lily – this flower name means ‘purity’ and ‘innocence’ and has Greek and Latin roots
Linnea –the name is of Swedish origin and means ‘twinflower’ or ‘lime tree’
Lois –this strong Greek girl name means ‘superior’
Lola – this name is the short form of the Spanish name Delores and means ‘sorrows’
Lorelei – this girl name means ‘alluring temptress’ and is of German origin
Loretta – this name is of Italian and Latin origin and means ‘laurel’
Lorna – a name of Scottish origin meaning ‘fox’
Louise – this English name means ‘famous warrior’
Lucille – this pretty French name means ‘light’
Lucy – another form of the name Lucille, this French name also means ‘light’
Luella – this girl name of Old English and Old German origin means ‘famous warrior’
Lydia – this name come from the Greek word meaning ‘beautiful one’ or ‘noble one’
Lynn – this classic Welsh name means ‘lake’
M
Mabel – this cute English name means ‘lovable’
Madge – this name is short for Margaret and comes from the Greek word for ‘pearl’
Maggie – this name means ‘high tower’ and is of English origin
Margaret – this name comes from the Greek work meaning ‘pearl’
Marianne – this name has roots in French, Latin, and Hebrew, and means ‘star of the sea’ or’ grace’
Marie – this French name means ‘sea of bitterness’ or ‘wished for child’
Marilyn – this English name means ‘drop of the sea’ or ‘beloved lake’
Marion – this name also of French origin means ‘star of the sea’
Marjorie – this French and English name means ‘pearl’
Marla –this name of English and Latin origin also means ‘star of the sea’
Marlie – This English name means ‘marshy meadow’
Martha – a name of Hebrew origin meaning ‘lady’
Mary – this classic Hebrew girl name means ‘drop of the sea’, ‘bitter’, or ‘beloved’
Marybelle –similar to other names on this list, this name of Latin and French origin means ‘star of the sea’ or ‘beautiful’
Maude – this old-fashioned name means ‘powerful battler’ and is of German origin
Maxine – this classy Latin girl name means ‘honey sweetness
Melinda – this girl name of Latin origin means ‘sweet’
Meredith – this Welsh girl name means ‘lord’
Mila – this name of Slavic origin means ‘people’s favor’
Mildred – this Old English girl name means ‘gentle strength’
Millicent – this name of English origin means ‘labor strength’
Millie – a short form of several names, this sweet girl name can mean ‘bee, honey’, ‘rival’, ‘gentle strength’ and ‘brave strength’ can has roots in Latin, Greek, Old English, and Old French
Minnie – this adorable name means ‘sea of bitterness’ and is of English origin
Molly – this pretty girl name has Irish roots and means ‘star of the sea’
Mona – this name of Irish and Gaelic origin means ‘noble’ or ‘aristocratic’
Myrna – this Irish girl name means ‘high-spirited’
Myrtle – this nature inspired Greek girl name means ‘flowering shrub’
N
Nadia – this name of Slavic origin means ‘hope’
Nadine – the French version of the name Nadia also means ‘hope’
Nancy – the name of French and Hebrew origin means ‘favor’ or ‘grace’
Naomi – this pretty Hebrew name means ‘beautiful’ or ‘gentle’
Nellie – one of my favorites, this name means ‘light’ and is of English origin
Nettie – used as a nickname for name that ended in ‘ette’ like Jeanette or Lynnette
Nina – this name of Spanish origin means ‘little girl’
Nona – this unique Latin name means ‘the ninth’
Nora – this classic girl’s name of Irish origin means ‘honor’
Norma – this English girl name means ‘from the north’
O
Odessa – this name of Greek origin means ‘long journey’
Olive – this sweet English girl name means ‘olive tree’ or ‘peace offering’
Ona – this Slavic girl’s name means ‘grace’
Opal – this name of Hindi and English origin means ‘gem’ or ‘precious stone’
Ophelia – this Greek girl name means ‘help’
P
Patricia – this classic Latin girl name means ‘noble’
Patsy – this name of English origin also means ‘noble’
Paulette – this name of French origin means ‘small’
Pauline – a French girl name that means ‘small’, ‘humble’, or ‘beautiful’
Pearl – this pretty old-fashioned from English origin refers to the small, round precious gem found inside oysters or other mollusks
Penny – a nickname for Penelope, this name of Greek origin means ‘weaver’
Pippa – this spunky English name has Latin roots and means ‘classic’ or ‘ancient’
Poppy – this darling girl name means ‘red flower’ and has Latin roots
Q
Quinn – this gender-neutral name means ‘counsel’ and is of Irish and Gaelic origin
R
Rachel – this sweet Hebrew baby name means ‘female sheep’
Rae – a short form of several names, this name of Hebrew origin means ‘female sheep’
Reba – also of Hebrew origin, this girl name means ‘fourth born’
Rebecca – this pretty Hebrew name means ‘to bind’
Renee – this name of French origin means ‘reborn’
Rhea – this Greek and Danish name means ‘flowing’
Rita – this pretty name means ‘pearl’ and is of Spanish origin
Robin – this gender-neutral name of English origin means ‘bright fame’
Rosa – this name comes from the Latin word meaning ‘rose’
Rosalind – this English baby name means ‘pretty rose’
Rose – this timeless girl name comes from Latin roots and means ‘flower’
Rosemary – a combo of two classic English names, meaning the herb of the same name
Rosie – a nickname for several names listed above, this name of Latin origin also means ‘rose’ or ‘flower’
Roxanne – this name of English origin means ‘dawn’
Ruby – this name of Latin origin means ‘red precious stone’
Ruth – this sweet Hebrew girl name means ‘friend’
Related: 100+ Nature Inspired Names for Girls
S
Sally – a darling girl name of English origin that means ‘princess’ or ‘lady’
Sarah –a classic Hebrew name that means ‘princess’
Serena – this name comes from the Latin word meaning ‘clear, tranquil, and serene’
Shanna – this girl’s name has roots in Hebrew and Gaelic, and means ‘lily’, ‘rose’, or ‘God’s grace’
Shari – comes from the name Sharon, meaning ‘holy land’ in Hebrew
Sheila – this name has a long history, spanning all the way back to the Roman clan name Caelius meaning ‘heavenly’
Sherry – this name is of English and French origin and means ‘dear’
Shirley – this Old English name means ‘bright meadow or clearing’
Stella –this girl name of Latin and Greek roots means ‘star’
Sue – this name is English and means ‘lily’
Susie—this cute name means ‘lily flower’ and is of English origin
Sylvia—this name is Latin in origin and means ‘from the forest’
T
Tabitha – this English girl name means ‘graceful’
Tara – this name of Irish origin means ‘tower’ or ‘hillside’
Thelma – this vintage girl’s name of Greek origin means ‘will’ or ‘volition’
Theresa – this Greek name means ‘late summer’
Trudy—this name means ‘spear of strength’ and is of German origin
V
Valerie – this name primarily of French origin means ‘strength’
Veda – this means ‘eternal knowledge’ and is of Indian origin
Vera –this darling name of Russian origin means ‘truth’
Verona – this name of Italian origin also means ‘truth’
Victoria – this Latin girl name means ‘victory’
Viola – this name of Italian origin means ‘violet’
Violet – this sweet English name means ‘purple or blue flower’
Virginia –this Latin girl name means both ‘maiden’ and ‘virgin’
Vivian –another name with Latin roots that means ‘alive’
W
Wendy – this darling English girl name means ‘blessed ring’
Wilma –this trendy German girl name means ‘resolute protection’
Winifred – this name of English origin means ‘peace friend’
Winnie – this name means ‘fair one’ or ‘peaceful’ and has English and Welsh origins
Winona – this unique name of Native American (Lakota) origin means ‘first born’
Y
Yvonne – this French girl name means ‘yew’
Z
Zana – this name of Slavic origin means ‘God is gracious’
Zina – this name of Old Greek means ‘guest’
That wraps up our list of old-fashioned girl’s names that you may not hear used too often! Hopefully this has given you some inspiration for the perfect classic name for your little miss.
These names are so charming and quite honestly will never go out of style! If they don’t quite fit what you are looking for in a first name, try them out as a middle name! Whatever you choose I know it will be great.
What were some of your favorites from this list? Let me know in the comments below!
Still looking for the perfect name for your baby? Check out all our other baby name lists here!
If you are pregnant, check out these blog posts to help you prepare for your baby:
- Top 10 Things Your Labor Nurse Wants You To Know
- Preparing for Pregnancy: 7 First Trimester Must-Haves You Can’t Do Without
- 7 Tips for the First 7 Days of Breastfeeding
- Navigating Pumping at Work: Top 11 Tips for a New Mom’s Success
- Everything You Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
- The Ultimate Third Trimester Checklist
- Baby Medicine Cabinet Essentials
- How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
- Postpartum Must-Haves for a Vaginal Delivery
Katherine McLee says
Some of these names are beautiful! I love names that are a little less common!